Radars on yachts are indispensable assistants for every yachtsman, especially in poor visibility conditions. Interparus will tell you about the features of these devices!
How does radar work on a yacht?
Any airborne radar operates on the principle of electromagnetic echo location. The device sends out short pulses of radio waves and then “listens” for the reflection of these radio waves from various objects. These objects can be other ships and yachts, coastlines, buoys, etc.
Radar measures the time it takes for a radio wave to travel from the radar to an object and back. Knowing the time and speed of the wave, the system calculates the distance to the obstacle. Typically, data on the current position of obstacles is displayed on a special monitor. Thanks to this data, the yachtsman can correctly plot the course and avoid a collision with this obstacle.
One of the features of modern radars is the automatic target tracking function or MARPA (Mini Automatic Radar Plotting Aid). This function allows you not only to see other vessels on the radar, but also to very clearly calculate their course and speed. The feature also warns of potential collisions.
What types of radars are there?
Yacht radars can be classified according to several criteria. So, if we are talking about design, then radars are usually divided into dome and open. Dome radars are quite compact in size and are installed in a protective dome. They are great for small yachts and ships due to their compactness. Open antennas, as the name suggests, are antennas without a protective dome. Radars of this type are slightly less protected, but the range and accuracy of such a radar are higher. Typically installed on large and expedition yachts.
If we talk about the type of antenna, we can distinguish flat panel radars and magnetron radars. Flat panel radars use new solid-state technologies to generate radio waves. Magnetron radars are a more classic option that uses this same magnetron to generate radio waves. Flat panel radars are faster and perform well at short ranges, while magnetron radars have greater detail at long ranges.
Range is another criterion for classifying radars. Globally, radars can be divided into short-range and long-range radars. Short-range radars will help detect an object at a distance of up to 20 nautical miles. The long-range radar can track objects over 96 nautical miles. The first type is most often used on yachts intended for coastal navigation, and the second - on large yachts and ships during long sea voyages.
What should you pay attention to when working with radar?
It is very important to know the specification of the radar you are using. Some radars may be more sensitive to roll or severe weather conditions, while others may be less so. Weather conditions greatly affect radar performance. Due to heavy rain or high waves, the radar may not display the surrounding environment correctly.
Another important aspect is the radar blind spot. This is an area in which the radar is unable to detect objects due to limitations in its design or settings. For example, if the radar is mounted high on the mast, small floating objects or waves directly next to the yacht may not show up on the radar.
A type of blind spot is the “shadow zone.” The shadow zone is the area that is hidden behind large obstacles or objects. Natural formations or large marine vessels can create this “shadow zone,” causing smaller objects to be invisible to radar.
What are the important aspects of using radar?
Understanding and interpreting radar signals is a little easier than it might seem at first glance. However, this skill is very important and valuable. Another important aspect of working with radar is tuning it and understanding what that tuning does.
Probably the most important skill after knowing how to read radar signals is the ability to spot false echoes. This situation is quite real: you are walking on a calm sea, visibility is prohibitive, and the radar is bursting with non-existent obstacles. And the reason may be a subtle disturbance of the water surface and incorrect settings of the radar sensitivity.
In any case, knowing how to use radar is just as important as knowing how to use any other navigation device - walkie-talkie, chartplotter, echo sounder, AIS or GPS. The sooner you master this skill, the easier and more enjoyable your cruises will be. Also, do not forget about regular maintenance of the radar, or at least checking its functionality before each trip to sea.
New video on the Interparus channel!
Our final video about the new products of the legendary Boot Dusseldorf 2024 exhibition. In this video we will again talk about new equipment and even take a walk past the three winners in the “Boat of the Year” category. Enjoy watching!
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22.02.2024
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